Love is being able to worship with my mom, husband, children and church family. Love is listening to my children sing songs about life in Christ. Love is letting go....
As I sit on my front porch, I can hear the laughter of Alexa and Charles as they watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Down the hall the joy of salvation is echoed off the walls of Alan's room. And in my mind I hear Andy's voice as he tells me he loves me. It is times like these that I am reminded that God has loaned me something of value, something of great worth.
Twenty-six years ago, I surrendered my life, marriage and children to God and tonight as I look to the future, I am reminded that love is bittersweet. These next few days will indeed be bittersweet, as I watch Alan pack and prepare for his return to Russia, a place he calls home. Love is letting go....
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Oh my, I feel a blog post coming on and I love it!
A couple of week ago, I asked God to allow me to see and hear the things that break His heart. Yes, my heart is broken, but not necessarily for the world, but for my lack of scripture knowledge. Last night, as I sat across the table, I quickly became aware of the fact that I was not able to take a biblical stance on sexual perversion.Why? Because I have not hidden His word in my heart. Saying I do not agree with homosexuality was not enough, I needed to share what God's word says.
Having said this, I must tell you how faithful our God is to prepare us for His good works. During a study of James, we were encouraged to memorize all five chapters, I was immediately up for the challenge. Within the first week of study, I began to pray, asking God to show me how to memorize His word, for I felt as if I had bitten off more than I could chew. It was during the second week, my precious son, Andy shared with me the burden God had placed on his heart to memorize scripture. He was encouraged by something he heard from John Piper on this topic. After sharing with me his plan to read thru a passage fifty times and then begin the process of memorizing, I felt armed and ready for battle! Having studied James and reading it through once or twice daily, I feel that I am finally getting to know James, the half brother of Jesus!
While driving to the bank and post office one day last week, I was able to hear a small segment of Reviving Our Hearts radio broadcast. Nancy Epperson was the guest, she talked about the times she was able to quote God's word and also the times she was not. This encouraged me to continue in my feeble attempt at memorizing James.
Today as I talked with Andy, discussing the previous night's conversation, again I was reminded of the need to hide God's word in my heart, to be ready in season and out of season to share God with a hurting world. I must admit, that at first my motive for scripture memorization was purely selfish! I, Laura the great forgiven sinner, wanted to share God's word so that others would look at me and be amazed, pitiful, I know. But within my selfish desire was a faithful God calling me to taste and see His goodness.
So. as I am encouraged to hide His word in my heart, I too am encouraging you to do so as well. I look forward to the times God allows me to share His word with family and friends. And yes, I am ready to take a biblical stance on sexual immorality, because Andy reminded me that in Romans chapter 1, God says...
A couple of week ago, I asked God to allow me to see and hear the things that break His heart. Yes, my heart is broken, but not necessarily for the world, but for my lack of scripture knowledge. Last night, as I sat across the table, I quickly became aware of the fact that I was not able to take a biblical stance on sexual perversion.Why? Because I have not hidden His word in my heart. Saying I do not agree with homosexuality was not enough, I needed to share what God's word says.
Having said this, I must tell you how faithful our God is to prepare us for His good works. During a study of James, we were encouraged to memorize all five chapters, I was immediately up for the challenge. Within the first week of study, I began to pray, asking God to show me how to memorize His word, for I felt as if I had bitten off more than I could chew. It was during the second week, my precious son, Andy shared with me the burden God had placed on his heart to memorize scripture. He was encouraged by something he heard from John Piper on this topic. After sharing with me his plan to read thru a passage fifty times and then begin the process of memorizing, I felt armed and ready for battle! Having studied James and reading it through once or twice daily, I feel that I am finally getting to know James, the half brother of Jesus!
While driving to the bank and post office one day last week, I was able to hear a small segment of Reviving Our Hearts radio broadcast. Nancy Epperson was the guest, she talked about the times she was able to quote God's word and also the times she was not. This encouraged me to continue in my feeble attempt at memorizing James.
Today as I talked with Andy, discussing the previous night's conversation, again I was reminded of the need to hide God's word in my heart, to be ready in season and out of season to share God with a hurting world. I must admit, that at first my motive for scripture memorization was purely selfish! I, Laura the great forgiven sinner, wanted to share God's word so that others would look at me and be amazed, pitiful, I know. But within my selfish desire was a faithful God calling me to taste and see His goodness.
So. as I am encouraged to hide His word in my heart, I too am encouraging you to do so as well. I look forward to the times God allows me to share His word with family and friends. And yes, I am ready to take a biblical stance on sexual immorality, because Andy reminded me that in Romans chapter 1, God says...
Saturday, September 3, 2011
One Last Time to Love
http://www.godvine.com/Mother-Hears-her-Daughter-s-Heart-Beat-One-Last-Time-649.html
As I watched this video I was reminded of my dear friend. I wondered if she was given the chance to hear her son's heart beat one more time, would she? Would her strong love for him beckon her to hear or would the raw feelings of loss surround her as turns away? Being allowed to hear again the heart that once beat so vibrantly in a loved one must cause your own heart to beat wildly. Oh the emotions that would be felt if the opportunity could arise, the joy of remembered laughter, the feel of a kiss on the cheek, the warmth of a smile. Could this remembered love overcome the fear of losing again?
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. I am encouraged by this verse, for it is God's perfect love, His pure, all knowing love for us that brings comfort. I imagine that my friend would leap at the chance to hear her son's heart beat one more time. If this were to happen, I imagine her listening and then sharing how Christ has carried her through the valleys of life and on to the mountain tops. For you see, my friend has learned that there is no fear in love, for it is His perfect love that cast out her fears to live and love again.
As I watched this video I was reminded of my dear friend. I wondered if she was given the chance to hear her son's heart beat one more time, would she? Would her strong love for him beckon her to hear or would the raw feelings of loss surround her as turns away? Being allowed to hear again the heart that once beat so vibrantly in a loved one must cause your own heart to beat wildly. Oh the emotions that would be felt if the opportunity could arise, the joy of remembered laughter, the feel of a kiss on the cheek, the warmth of a smile. Could this remembered love overcome the fear of losing again?
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. I am encouraged by this verse, for it is God's perfect love, His pure, all knowing love for us that brings comfort. I imagine that my friend would leap at the chance to hear her son's heart beat one more time. If this were to happen, I imagine her listening and then sharing how Christ has carried her through the valleys of life and on to the mountain tops. For you see, my friend has learned that there is no fear in love, for it is His perfect love that cast out her fears to live and love again.
"How Deep the Father's Love for us...
...how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only son to make a wretch His treasure."
A wretch His treasure. Wow, who on earth would make a wretch his treasure? No one other than God, for He gave His only son to make this wretch His treasure.
Luke 7:44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
I thank God for making this wretch His treasure, for just like the woman with many sins was forgiven and loved much, so am I. To some this might seem as boasting, well in a sense it is. I am boasting in Jesus Christ for this lost soul was made His treasure.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Everlasting love
Jeremiah 31:3
3the LORD appeared to him[a] from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Footnotes:Jeremiah 31:3 Septuagint; Hebrew me
The LORD has loved me, Laura with an everlasting love and has proven Himself faithful to me.
Today at church we were given an opportunity to bury our hurts by forgiving those who have hurt us. No longer are we to carry these hurts caused by others, but we are to lay them down. As we placed our cards of forgiveness in the box for burial, it became crystal clear to me that my unforgiving spirit created a huge emptiness between myself and God. I felt as if I had allowed His everlasting love to be replaced by fear, rejection, and loneliness. I long for His perfect peace to cast out fear in difficult circumstances, so now I choose to stand strong in the battle of rejection and loneliness by humbly laying down my hurts. As the clouds of doubt and confusion are cleared from my being, I find comfort knowing that my God was not far away, for He has loved me with an everlasting love and has proven Himself faithful to me.
Today at church we were given an opportunity to bury our hurts by forgiving those who have hurt us. No longer are we to carry these hurts caused by others, but we are to lay them down. As we placed our cards of forgiveness in the box for burial, it became crystal clear to me that my unforgiving spirit created a huge emptiness between myself and God. I felt as if I had allowed His everlasting love to be replaced by fear, rejection, and loneliness. I long for His perfect peace to cast out fear in difficult circumstances, so now I choose to stand strong in the battle of rejection and loneliness by humbly laying down my hurts. As the clouds of doubt and confusion are cleared from my being, I find comfort knowing that my God was not far away, for He has loved me with an everlasting love and has proven Himself faithful to me.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The Help
"The Help" is a movie that brought me to tears, but also to my knees. The years of sacrifice those women made for other children inspired me in a way that caught me by surprise. I know my job as Director of the Academy is very important, but until tonight I had not surrendered my life to those kids. Driving home alone, I was overcome by the strong urgency to completely surrender to this calling. Being challenged in such a clear way was somewhat frightening. Yes, I want the best for the kids, but was I willing to surrender my all for them? How could I not? For I know God placed a desire in my heart months ago to work with children and parents. I wanted to be used by God, to help families thrive and not just merely survive. As I surrendered, I felt the hugeness of the task ahead, my tender heart beat wildly for I knew God was starting something new in me!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
No fear in love, huh?
Lord, Use my kids for your glory!
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
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